Giants, Mermaids and Knights

Tomb of a Giant?

The enormous Riesenstein (Giant Rock) lies high above Bad Wildbad on top of the Meistern. In former times, noble guests would meet here for a picnic and to dance. With patience, you can decipher many of the carved signatures even to this day. Covered with moss, the 12 by 6-meter large stone plate might hide a secret: Is the stone plate, as the poet and spa doctor Justinus Kerner suspects, a “gigantic tomb stone” on top of the tomb of a real giant? You should not dance too loudly on the rock – who knows, maybe the giant really is just taking a very long nap.

The Mermaids of the Wildsee

Not far from here, in a pristine moor landscape, lies the Wildsee. Mermaids were rumored to have lived here once. Each night they would descend to Reichental to dance and play with the local youth. One evening, however, they were prevented by a young boy from returning to the lake on time. Since then, no mermaid has ever been seen again. Some suspect the king of the lake punished them, while others say their singing can still be heard at night to this day. On clear nights it seems as if their white gowns are glittering on the water.

The Flaming Knight

Close by, on top of the mountain Eiberg near Calmbach, there once stood a castle. According to legend, a flaming knight with raised lance rides through the forest there. No one knows his story. But it is said that he rides so fast between the trees that he can be in two places at once.

Some say it is better not to encounter the knight, but no one has heard of the unfortunate gentleman harming another. Just once, a farm maid had seen the knight striking some unknown thing made of smoke and fog with his lance. His screaming is rumored to be terrifying. Unsuspecting hikers should not go too far into the woods at night. Who knows if the Flaming Knight might appear on the Sommerberg after all…

Foolish Wishes

Out of breath, Peter let himself flop down. That was…no, that could not be! But there was no doubt about it: The fir that reached to the heavens before him was the exact same fir he had said the verse in front of earlier. And without knowing what happened to him, he remembered the last line of the verse. “Alright then”, said Peter as he adjusted his doublet. “I will not be a fool. Once again.” He cleared his throat:

“Guardian of the treasure in the fir forest so green, A many hundred years you have already seen. All land where firs grow belongs to you, You only appear to a Sunday’s child true”

A giggle and then a whispering, gentle voice: “Not entirely right Peter, but since it is you I will let it pass.” The little man giggled again, smoking a cobalt glass pipe and wearing red stockings. It spoke: “You are indeed a Sunday’s child so I will grant you three wishes. But be warned, choose carefully. Two are free but…”, it held up a finger, “the third one I can refuse if it is foolish!”

Peter burst with joy, he did not have to consider long: “I wish to be an even better dancer than the King of the Dancefloor, and that my pockets may always be as full of money as those of Fat Ezechiel at the inn!” The little man shot an angry look at him: “You better watch yourself”, he called, “and utter a more reasonable wish the second time!” Peter hesitated: “Well then, I want to own the most beautiful and the richest glass hut in all of the country.” “Nothing else?” The little man furrowed his brows. “Maybe a horse and a wagon along with it” said Peter. “Oh, you foolish Peter Charcoal-Munk!” the Little Glass Man interrupted him: “You had better wished for reason! The horse and the wagon would have come on their own eventually. Go away, I will refuse your last wish!” Before Peter could protest, the spirit had disappeared into the fir tops. But at Peter’s feet lay a small pouch – and in it 20 000 guilders! He went home as fast as if he had not been on his feet all day …

When was the last time you came up with a story? Draw your inspiration from the Black Forest.